Ansel Elgort Is Augustus Waters In TFIOS

Holy crap! Entertainment Weekly today reports that the coveted and highly-speculated-upon role of August Waters in the film adaptation of the Fault In Our Stars is going to none other than Ansel Elgort! The role has been offered to him, and that is that. Ansel Elgort is Augustus Waters. Wow. Elgort was part of the group of five that screen tested for the part.

Also:

John Green has chimed in about the casting: “Ansel is whip-smart and uber-charismatic and everything I dreamed for Augustus Waters. I am by nature a cautious pessimist, but I’ll just say it: Now that we have Shailene and Ansel, I am completely, unreservedly psyched about this movie.”

Director Josh Boone also gave a statement: “Ansel Elgort is the epitome of the boy John Green brought to life so vividly in his novel and he truly embodies the character traits we admire so much about Gus. His humor, sensitivity, honesty and confidence floored us. Watching him with Shailene was like seeing the film for the first time. Hearing then say okay to each other was incredibly moving. We couldn’t be more thrilled to have found our Gus.”

Elgort is 19 and will be in the Carrie remake coming out later this year. He will also star opposite Shailene Woodley (as her brother, awko-taco) in Divergent next year, who will be playing Hazel in the forthcoming TFioS. Hopefully the additional working hours together will help them build a rapport.

For those who have been following along at home, you’ll know that this casting has come way the goddamn hell out of left field, completely obliterating all speculation about who would be cast in such a monumental role.

Seriously, talk about left-field. Wild. But if he’s as good as Boone and John say he is, then I’m all for it!

http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1412429 Melissa Anelli

I love that they’re stocking the film up with unknowns, and one known actress for the lead. right way to do it!

http://twitter.com/BradAusrotas Brad Ausrotas

Agreed! There’s so much echo-chambery inclusionism in the world of young actors, fresh talent is exactly what everybody needs.

http://www.facebook.com/daniel.etcovitch Daniel Etcovitch

That’s definitely the biggest plus to this pick. It may be out of nowhere, but at least it means they’re enlarging the pool for the future!

http://twitter.com/allonsyarielle Arielle

Ooh I liked him in previous stuff I saw!

http://twitter.com/bowiebookgirl Jordan Pelavin

I know we aren’t supposed to just judge people by looks, but I feel like Augustus’s look is such a part of his character. And I think that this guy looks pretty good.

http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1412429 Melissa Anelli

I think it’s totally fair to judge a character based on looks if his look is as big a part of his role as Augustus! He’s got to have that awesome jaw, handsome, hotness thing that Hazel talks about. Like it or not that’s part of it: dude is almost objectively attractive. I think we can agree Ansel is objectively attractive.

http://twitter.com/BradAusrotas Brad Ausrotas

There were a few guys in our casting post like Grant Gustin and that sexy, sexy tumblr model guy that appealed to me more in terms of raw attractiveness, but I think Elgort balances it well. I can’t wait to see how he acts!

Nicole

I am correct in thinking that he plays Tris’ brother in Divergent, and Tris is played by Shailene? At this point I am quite happy with the casting, I just think it’s a bit strange having the same two actors in major roles in two huge YA book adaptations.